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- HOA duesPosted on: 2007-03-06Please pay your voluntary dues of $20.00 to:
Heatherwood HOA
P O Box 11102
Boulder, CO 80301 - Important Fire Safety InfoPosted on: 2005-11-01ELECTRICAL WIRING UPDATE FOR HEATHERWOOD
Joe Lanzoni
November 1, 2005
There have been a couple of electrical problems in Heatherwood recently, so I figured this would be a good time review some electrical issues affecting most of the homes in Heatherwood. Since these issues are related to human safety, they should be taken very seriously.
In addressing these issues I would advise NOT taking matters into your own hands unless you are electrically qualified. Electrical inspections and modifications are NOT recommended for those without this electrical familiarity, and would best be addressed by a licensed electrician and/or Xcel Energy. I have identified several potential electrical issues in Heatherwood, as follows:
1. Loose neutral (white) wires in neutral bus - If you look inside you main electrical panel, you will notice all of the white wires terminating in a perforated bar with screw terminals. This is called the neutral bus bar, with the white wires being the electrical circuit neutrals. Over time, some of the screws in the bus bar can become loose, esp. with aluminum wires. These screws should be tightened every few years, after making sure that the wires are fully inserted into the holes. If these screws or wires are loose, it could result in arcing or an unsteady circuit operation. A symptom of this problem would be flickering lights or unsteady operation of electrical devices.
2. Loose phase (black) wires in breakers. This potential problem is very similar to #1 except that it is with the black phase wires rather than the white neutral wires. The black wires are terminated into screw terminals on the circuit breakers, which are typically arranged in two columns inside the main electrical panel. Over time, some of the screws in the breakers can become loose, esp. with aluminum wires. These screws should be tightened every few years, after making sure that the wires are fully inserted into the holes. If these screws or wires are loose, it could result in arcing or an unsteady circuit operation. A symptom of this problem would also be flickering lights or unsteady operation of electrical devices.
3. Pigtailing at switches and outlets - Most of the Heatherwood homes have aluminum electrical wiring. These wires run from the circuit breakers in the main electrical panel to the various switches and outlets in the home. If an aluminum wire is connected to a screw on a switch or outlet, over time the screw can loosen, thus creating the possibility for dangerous arcing at the switch or outlet. The solution to this problem is called “pigtailing” and is somewhat expensive—usually several hundred dollars--but is worthwhile. Pigtailing involves removing the switch or outlet, splicing a short piece of copper wire onto the end of the aluminum wire, and then reconnecting the switch or outlet. The aluminum-to-copper wire splice should be done using special purple wire nuts. Symptoms of this problem might include warm-to-the-touch face plates on outlets or switches, flickering lights, circuits that don't work and/or the smell of burning plastic at outlets or switches.
4. Settling – One of the appealing features to Heatherwood is the fact that our electrical service is underground, thus ridding us from the suspended overhead wires and wooden poles that are found in most neighborhoods. Underground service is more reliable and aesthetically pleasing than aboveground service, but is more susceptible to lightning-related problems. Underground service can also lead to a problem caused by settling of the house or electrical service. Over time, as the house rises from and/or settles into the earth and the electrical service conduit does not rise or settle at the same rate, then the wires from the utility to the meter box can be stretched. These wires are connected to main lugs inside the meter box. Under continued strain, the lugs can become weakened, bent or broken. The meter box which contains the main lugs is sealed to prevent unauthorized opening, and so should only be examined by Xcel or licensed electrician.
5. Loose or Improperly Seated Meters - Most if not all of the homes in Heatherwood recently had new electrical meters installed by Xcel. I’d expect that 99.9% of these meters are fine; however, the possibility exists that the meter is not properly seated in the main lugs inside the meter box. This could cause a high resistance connection, resulting in heat and/or arcing inside the meter enclosure. If this is the case—and like I said, it would be rare—the enclosure would be hotter than normal and/or exhibit evidenced of arcing from the inside. This meter box is sealed to prevent unauthorized opening, and so should only be examined by Xcel or licensed electrician.
In summary, I do not wish to push the panic button or cause widespread alarm over these issues. My intent is to make you aware of these issues, and to encourage you to take appropriate action if you think your property may be at risk. I would also like to thank Jeff Bishop of Bishop Electric for his contributions to this article.
